Espresso Enthusiasts

[Kissaragi]

I love the engine...but as an espresso machine!?

And anyway, if it doesn't produce at least 30 BARS...you just can't get that good crema!

I wonder if they plan a V12 model with 40 bar so your espresso is 90% crema.

 

[Shrink]

I wonder if they plan a V12 model with 40 bar so your espresso is 90% crema.

Obviously for super crema (not quite 90%, but close), all you need is this wonderful Nespresso machine...

And, after all, crema is more important then the coffee itself.

 

[mobilehaathi]

Obviously for super crema (not quite 90%, but close), all you need is this wonderful Nespresso machine...

And, after all, crema is more important then the coffee itself.

Image

My crema is bigger than your crema.

 

[SHNXX]

That nespresso makes a more disgusting drink than the old nespresso.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I freaking love my Chemex. But I love my AP and FP too, and the vac brewer. And, of course, my deepest love, the ristretto.

The Chemex. Smooth, balanced, totally enjoyable. A summer fling, without the awkward first few days, with an exotic foreign girl who turns every head at the beach. She drives a Bentley. She listens to La bohéme, or maybe Rigoletto.

The AP. Harder to predict than the Chemex, offering both better and worse. With the disk, full of flavor and fun, but faster. A weekend instead of a summer, with someone you will never forget, and may never see again; you know it at the time, but you do not care. She drives a Ferrari, probably a 1962 GTO. Der Rosenkavalier, or some wonderfully lilting music that you know but can't quite name.

The FP. The AP's big sister, but bolder, and messier. Rough around the edges, and she has not cleaned her car for years. But, oh the satisfying boldness and, well, body. She drives a Rolls Royce Phantom with every option; every acid and oil is here, bursting into your life. Like an early Wagner. I hope she is playing Tannhäuser.

The Cona D vac brewer. Terribly high maintenance; the girl in a far off city you lust after, but only rarely visit because more would be your doom. Anything more would doom you for life, doomed forever to be dissatisfied with everything else. The Liebestod. The glorification, in an Isotta Fraschini.

And, the ristretto. With the first taste you fall instantly in boundless love, but she is fickle and runs and you are forced to chase her for many years; at times you get close, one night you think you have grasped her arm, only to be left empty. With stubborn persistence born from your first taste, you continue the chase. Only when you have paid her price, in time and devotion, she relents, and the passion becomes a deep, abiding, endless love. She drives a Bugatti Veyron. O mio babbino caro, or Che gelida manina, or Libiamo. You don't care which.

I will not comment on your fantasy life, except to observe that it is rich, detailed, and nuanced, but I will cheerfully applaud the wide ranging tastes displayed in the selection of classical music cited in this wonderfully descriptive post. (Oh, and the motor car imagery too, but - to me, - classical music is far more important…..)

My...my...you live a rich fantasy life!

Is Mrs. Kurwenal aware of this? Do you share it?

I have other questions, none of which are appropriate for a family forum...

Yes, I can imagine.

Back on topic, this morning I gave (by invitation) a lengthy political briefing to one of our field offices. When they asked me (last week) what I required in advance, I explained that my needs were simple. No Powerpoint - I never do it - a loathsome substitute for a good talk (hence, no need for any sort of computers, either).

However, I did stipulate a steady supply of water. And espresso. Just before my talk, I consumed two delicious double espressos. My awe-struck host observed that some sort of espresso IV device - portable, but attached to me, needless to say, might be a desirable - nay, necessary - accessory to my lifestyle. I concurred.

 

[Shrink]

My crema is bigger than your crema.

My goodness...a crema measuring contest.

Boys will be boys...no matter what their age!

 

[S.B.G]

That nespresso makes a more disgusting drink than the old nespresso.

I will take your word for it. I've never used or had "coffee" from one of those things. All my coffee and espresso has been made with proper machines. ☕

 

[Scepticalscribe]

My crema is bigger than your crema.

I see.

As about the only person on this thread who is not into bona fide crema competitions, - the preserve of others - I reserve the right to cast judgement on the relative size, texture, durability…..and so on, of the respective cremas…….and, be warned, I am not gentle in voicing my informed and objective conclusions...

 

[S.B.G]

Oh boy! I'm glad I didn't toss my uh, crema into this contest!

 

[Shrink]

I see.

As about the only person on this thread who is not into bona fide crema competitions, - the preserve of others - I reserve the right to cast judgement on the relative size, texture, durability…..and so on, of the respective cremas…….and, be warned, I am not gentle in voicing my informed and objective conclusions...

mobilehaathi has to show first...he issued the challenge!

This whole thing is turning very sketchy!

 

[SHNXX]

Espresso Enthusiasts

Nespresso and other similar capsule crema is fake crema.
Everything about it is different from crema you get from traditional high quality setup.

Color, texture, mouthfeel, taste, aroma, duration... All different.

I mean that's okay because nespresso is very convenient but it's pretty dumb when some people think nespresso is serious coffee.

 

[Shrink]

Nespresso and other similar capsule crema is fake crema.
Everything about it is different from crema you get from traditional high quality setup.

Color, texture, mouthfeel, taste, aroma, duration... All different.

I mean that's okay because nespresso is very convenient but it's pretty dumb when some people think nespresso is serious coffee.

My guess is that folks use the Nespresso for one of two reasons...they haven't had the advantage of tasting real, well made (non-Starbucks) espresso...or it's used just for the convenience and the fact that there is no learning necessary for it's use.

 

[SHNXX]

My guess is that folks use the Nespresso for one of two reasons...they haven't had the advantage of tasting real, well made (non-Starbucks) espresso...or it's used just for the convenience and the fact that there is no learning necessary for it's use.

I use nespresso.
It's the quickest method of making drinkable coffee.

I would say it's better than office coffee and other extremely poorly brewed coffee.
Also better than the green mountain coffee products (keurig).

 

[Kurwenal]

My...my...you live a rich fantasy life!

Is Mrs. Kurwenal aware of this? Do you share it?

I have other questions, none of which are appropriate for a family forum...

No, no, no. Not fantasy. Descriptive analogies. You know.....this coffee is like that opera or relationship or car......and that coffee is like a different opera or relationship or car....

Oh, I give up.

 

[mobilehaathi]

mobilehaathi has to show first...he issued the challenge!

This whole thing is turning very sketchy!

Don't be coy; you like it!

 

[powerslave12r]

Crema Crema everywhere, nor any drop to drink!

 

[Shrink]

Don't be coy; you like it!

Hey...very nice bottomless PF (geez, just can't avoid these double entendres).

Beautiful photos!

The only thing missing is the coffee in the shot glass...but the crema is outstanding!

You definitely have me beat in the crema department...yours is bigger than mine.

This is actually an old photo...but a new one would unlikely be much better....

 

[mobilehaathi]

Hey...very nice bottomless PF (geez, just can't avoid these double entendres).

Beautiful photos!

The only thing missing is the coffee in the shot glass...but the crema is outstanding!

You definitely have me beat in the crema department...yours is bigger than mine.

This is actually an old photo...but a new one would unlikely be much better....

Image

Too bad mine is just from google images.

 

[powerslave12r]

After much deliberation, and going back and forth between this and the Technivorm Moccamaster, I picked the Bonavita BV1800 after all.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._rd_t=301&pf_rd_p=1263465782&pf_rd_i=BVTA1009

Didn't go for the Thermal Carafe cause I don't keep coffee sitting more than 30 minutes anyway and also read a review of the Thermal carafe blowing up!

Combined with easier cleaning, and the possibility of using a Hario ceramic dripper instead of the one provided, sold me.

http://www.amazon.com/Hario-VDC-02W-Ceramic-Coffee-Dripper/dp/B000P4D5HG

 

[mobilehaathi]

After much deliberation, and going back and forth between this and the Technivorm Moccamaster, I picked the Bonavita BV1800 after all.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._rd_t=301&pf_rd_p=1263465782&pf_rd_i=BVTA1009

Didn't go for the Thermal Carafe cause I don't keep coffee sitting more than 30 minutes anyway and also read a review of the Thermal carafe blowing up!

Combined with easier cleaning, and the possibility of using a Hario ceramic dripper instead of the one provided, sold me.

http://www.amazon.com/Hario-VDC-02W-Ceramic-Coffee-Dripper/dp/B000P4D5HG

Excellent. I'm interested to hear on how you like the Bonavita!

 

[Kurwenal]

That nespresso makes a more disgusting drink than the old nespresso.

Nespresso and other similar capsule crema is fake crema.
Everything about it is different from crema you get from traditional high quality setup.

Color, texture, mouthfeel, taste, aroma, duration... All different.

I mean that's okay because nespresso is very convenient but it's pretty dumb when some people think nespresso is serious coffee.

All true. I picked up two Nespresso machines a while back, one original and one VituoLine (or whatever it is called, I may have the name incorrect). My recollections, before the machines joined the crowd in my unused coffee gear closet:

1. Lack of freshness kills both products. Coffee is an agricultural product and coffee freshness is even more important than for an apple or a tomato or an ear of corn. I tore apart some of the capsules and I think the coffee is at least 3-4 months old, which is not surprising given the supply chain. The "vacuum freshness" does not help. See, e.g., Folgers.

2. The new VirtuoLine's claim to produce crema is completely false. The color is close, but in reality it is just coffee whipped with large amounts of air. The taste is disgusting; the "crema" has foam, but none of the oils and proteins that make up true crema. In this respect, I agree that the old version is better than the new version; the Virtuoline's layer of fake foam crap on the top of each cup is disgusting.

3. There are two versions of the old line, the commercial line and the consumer line. The commercial line is not sold to consumers. The commercial line uses little "UFO" pods instead of the small cups used by the consumer line. The commercial line is much better tasting than the consumer line. I'm not sure why; it is possible that the samples I tasted just happened, by luck, to be fresher than the average puck.

So, I put Nespresso in the "disgusting" bucket, not the "barely tolerable" bucket. But, for a large part of the market, convenience is more important than taste, and, for that market segment, the product makes sense and, if they enjoy it, good for them.

I have not solved my search for "good, not great, espresso at work." My work kit remains an AP with a Porlex hand grinder and a Bonavita kettle.

----------

After much deliberation, and going back and forth between this and the Technivorm Moccamaster, I picked the Bonavita BV1800 after all.

Congrats on your purchase!

 

[powerslave12r]

Thank you good sirs!

I shall have some opinions (and perhaps some good photos) to share with you once the machine arrives. Unfortunately the shipping on that thing looks dog slow.

Another coffee purchase made this morning with a round of rolling the dice on the 8 lb sampler from Sweet Marias.

Can't wait.

 

[Kurwenal]

Another coffee purchase made this morning with a round of rolling the dice on the 8 lb sampler from Sweet Marias.

Can't wait.

I apologize if I missed this in an earlier post. What roasting method do you use?

 

[mobilehaathi]

Thank you good sirs!

I shall have some opinions (and perhaps some good photos) to share with you once the machine arrives. Unfortunately the shipping on that thing looks dog slow.

Another coffee purchase made this morning with a round of rolling the dice on the 8 lb sampler from Sweet Marias.

Can't wait.

Love the SM samplers. They recently sent me an Indian Peaberry that was quite surprising!

 

[powerslave12r]

I apologize if I missed this in an earlier post. What roasting method do you use?

The cheapest kind (the yellow one)

http://www.amazon.com/Presto-04820-PopLite-Popper-White/dp/B00006IUWA/ref=zg_bs_1090764_1

Love the SM samplers. They recently sent me an Indian Peaberry that was quite surprising!

I noticed that one, I hope that's included in the one that's coming up. From their blog, it seems they got some new beans in last week.